Semi-automatic flocking machine



July 11, 1967 J. N. RUNGE SEMI-AUTOMATIC FLOCKING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 22, 196E INVENTOR. JOHN NRUNGE,

y 1967 I J. N. RUNGE 3,330,250

SEMI-AUTOMATIC FLOCKING MACHINE Filed March 22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w- 111g. .3 Z6 I INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS,

United States Patent 3,330,250 SEMI-AUTOMATIC FLOCKING MACHINE John N. Runge, R. K. Electric Co. Inc., 1883 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215 Filed Mar. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 441,439 6 Claims. (Cl. 118-2) This invention relates to the art of flocking, and more particularly to a semi-automatic machine for rapidly carrying out a desired flocking operation.

The term flock as used in this application refers to a very short natural or synthetic fiber such as may be used in coating greeting cards, garments, and the like. According to the prior art, a portion of for example a greeting card is coated with a suitable adhesive, and the entire card is then covered with flock. The flock of course adheres only to the adhesive coated portions, and when the excess is removed, the pre-selected portion of the card will be fuzzy in both appearance and texture.

The flocking material can be applied to the adhesive coated surface in a variety of ways. It has long been customary to apply the flock by simply shaking a quantity of the flock fibers over the entire surface, and then shaking the excess off. More recently, electrostatic flocking devices have been developed. These devices, by means of a high voltage source of electricity, charge each individual fiber, one end being positive and the other end being negative. This difference in charges on the ends of the fibers causes them to be repelled from one another, and hence they can actually be driven into an adhesive coated surface. This particular method is of great advantage, in that the individual fibers are driven into the surface substantially on end. That is, each fiber is standing up. This tends to give a more uniform coating, and at the same time gives a deeper and more textured coating.

The instant invention has great and particular utility in the flocking of garments, such as T shirts, sweat shirts, and the like. Because of the necessity of arranging the garment prior to applying adhesive, such operations have always involved a large amount of hand work. Furthermore, in all of these operations, both the adhesive applying step and the actual flocking step take a certain period of time, and while one operation is being carried out, the other is idle. This of course results in a relatively inefiicient utilization, both of labor and equipment.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a semi-automatic flocking machine.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide a machine for the electrostatic flocking of garments and the like, which is far more eflicient than any device heretofore available.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described above, which will permit maximum speed of operation, and which at the same time is protected against damage to itself caused by operator time lags, or the like.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of an electrostatic flocking machine which can be more inexpensively fabricated than is heretofore possible.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device which will permit maximum efliciency for both the machine and the operator.

Keeping the above objects and advantages in mind, and in order to facilitate a complete understanding of this invention, an exemplary embodiment thereof will now be all) described. Reference will be made from time to time to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view from the back of the apparatus showing a portion of the operating components;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE 2, showing these components in another operating position.

It is to be understood and hence emphasized at the outset that the following specific description of the invention is not to be taken as a limitation thereof.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the general layout of the machine of this invention will be described. It will be seen that the unit is built into a housing indicated generally at 10 which is L-shaped. At the apex of the L is a flocking station indicated generally at 11; on opposite sides, and equally spaced from the flocking station 11 are the adhesive applying stations 12 and 13. The identical workpiece supporting means indicated generally at 14 and 15 serve to position a workpiece at the adhesive applying stations 12 and 13 respectively, and then to transfer the workpiece to the flocking station 11.

Turning now to FIGURES 2 and 3, it will be seen that the workpiece supporting means 14 and 15 each include a base 16, and a workpiece support 17 which is mounted on the brackets 18 so as to be spaced directly above the base 16. The base 16 is secured to the brackets 19 which are in turn fixed to the shaft 20, which is journaled in suitable bearings such as 21 and 22.

In order to move a workpiece from either the adhesive applying station 12 or 13 to the flocking station 11, the outer ends of the shaft 20 are provided with the pinion 23 which is in meshing engagement with the rack 24. In this embodiment of the invention, the rack 24 is mounted on the piston of a hydraulic cylinder 25 which is suitably secured to the cabinet 10. To provide stability, the rack 24 is adapted to slide in the guide 26. 'It will also be noted that the shaft 20 carries at its outermost end the counterweight arm 27 with the lead end 28-. The weight 28 will of course be of comparable mass to the brackets 19, base 16 and workpiece support 17.

It will also be observed in FIGURES 2 and 3 that the side of the housing 10 mount the limit switches 29 and 30. The switch 29 is positioned to be tripped by the end of the rack 24 as it is extended; the switch 30 is adapted to be tripped by the lug 31 on the inner end of the rack 24. Therefore, upon actuation of a suitable starting switch, hydraulic fluid will flow into the cylinder 25, causing the rack 24 to extend (from the position shown in FIGURE 2) to the position shown in FIGURE 3. Shortly after this movement begins, the rack will trip the switch 29, which will be wired into the starting circuit for the opposite adhesive applying station, and workpiece supporting means thereby preventing its activation while the workpiece supporting means from the first adhesive applying station is at the flocking station. That is, by this expedient, it will be impossible for an operator to activate the workpiece supporting means at both adhesive applying stations at the same time. Activation of one switch, shortly after initiation of movement of the rack 24, deactivates the other circuit. Interconnection of the various controls as described above is well within the skill of the ordinary worker in the art, and hence the wiring will not be described herein.

When the rack 24 has reached substantially the limit of its extension, the lug 31 will contact and trip the switch 30. This will be so inter-connected as to activate the elec trostatic unit at the flocking station. As explained earlier in this specification, it is well known that high voltage electrostatic devices can be used to propel flock onto an adhesive coated surface. Inasmuch as the details of construction of such units are conventional, it will not be described in detail here. Nevertheless, it will be noted that activation of such conventional circuitry is accomplished automatically upon movement of the workpiece supporting means and workpiece itself to the flocking station 11.

As is well known in the art, the extent of the flocking time will vary depending upon a number of conditions, including density desired, and the like. This will be controlled by a conventional timer switch, and upon deenergization of the flocking station, the rack 24 will begin to retract into the cylinder 25. Near the end of its stroke,

this will release the limit switch 29, thereby permitting the other circuit to be closed. Or, if the main switch from the other adhesive applying station (station has been closed, the un-tripping of the switch 29 will complete the circuit, and the above described operation will be completed with the other workpiece supporting means.

Returning now to FIGURE 1, it will be seen that means are provided at each of the adhesive applying stations 12 and 13 for applying adhesive to a suitable workpiece. This means includes the silk screen32, which, as well known in the art, will serve to mask a portion of the workpiece, while the remaining or exposed portions of the workpiece are coated with adhesive. According to conventional practice, the area within the frame of the silk screen is filled with a suitable adhesive, and an operator, by passing a squeegee over the screen forces the adhesive through the unmasked areas.

The silk screen will be suitably secured to the mounting arm 33. This arm 33 is pivotal-1y mounted by means of the pin 34 for movement about a horizontal axis. This will permit the screen 32 to be moved to a position substantially in contact with a workpiece on the support 17, or to a position spaced upwardly therefrom. The arm 33 and axle 34 in turn are mounted for pivotal movement about the point 35, so that the entire assembly can be swung from the position indicated in the right hand portion of FIGURE 1 overlying a workpiece to the position indicated in the left hand portion of FIGURE 1 which is spaced therefrom.

It will'also be seen in this embodiment of the invention that the mounting arm 33 carries on its underside the cam follower 36. This cam follower rides on the arcuate cam 37, which has a substantially horizontal portion 37a and a downwardly extending slot 37b. This will permit the motion described above. 3

It will also be noted that in this embodiment the extensions 33a on the mounting arms are connected to the 7 spring 38 in order to tend to biassthe screen assembly to its upper portion.

As indicated at the outset of this specification, the instant apparatus is primarily designed for the flocking of garments such as sweat shirts, and the like. To this end, as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1, the garment 39 I can be tucked around the workpiece support 17. In order.

to hold the garment thus placed in position, the holding panels 40 and 41 are provided. These panels are hingedly secured to the base 16, and movable to a generally vertical position in which the upper or free edge of the panels is closely adjacent the under surface of the workpiece support 17. This will securely hold the garment 39 in position during its motion to the flocking station 11.

To briefly review the operation of the device described above, an operator will place a garment or other workpiece on the workpiece support 17, at for example station 12, holding it in place by means of the holding panels 40 and 41. The silk screen 32 will then be manually traversed into position directly over and substantially in contact with the garment, and adhesive will be applied in a'conventional manner. At this time, the silk screen is moved to its inoperative position, and a first starting switch is energized. This will move'the workpiece supporting means from its original position to an inverted position at the flocking station 11. As, explained before, the rack and pinion which serves to accomplish this movement will automatically initiate the flocking operation when the garment is in the proper place; At the same time, the initial movement of this first workpiece supporting means will prevent accidental energization or operation of the other workpiece support. While the first flocking action is being carried out, the operator can place another garment on the remaining workpiecesupport at the other adhesive applying station (station 13), hold it in place, apply adhesive, and press the other operating switch. As soon as the first garment has been flocked and returns to its original position, the second workpiece support will be pivoted over to the flocking station. It will thus be seen that what has heretofore been exclusively at hand operation is carried out with a great deal of efficiency, both on the part of the operator, and on the part of the relatively expensive flocking equipment.

Numerous modifications can be made in the specific embodiment described Without departing from its scope or spirit. Accordingly, no limitations are intended except insofar as specifically set forth in the following claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A flocking machine comprising:

(a) a flocking station including means for applying flock to a workpiece;

(b) a pair of adhesive applying stations spaced equal distances from said flocking station; I

(c) workpiece supporting means associated with each said adhesive applying station;

(d) pivotal mounting means for each said workpiece supporting means whereby said supporting means are movable from a first position at an adhesive applying station to an inverted position at said flocking station,

said pivotal mounting means including a shaft pivotally secured to said flocking machine, a bracket arm secured at one end to said work-piece supporting means and 'at the other end to said shaft;

(e) means for moving each said workpiece supporting means from its respective adhesive applying station to said flocking station, said means including a pinion on said shaft, a rack in meshing engagement with said pinion, and means for moving said rack; and

(f) control means comprising a limit switch actuatable by movement of said rack, whereby either of said workpiece supporting means must return to said first position prior to movement of the other of said workpiece supporting means to said flocking station.

2. The machine claimed in claim 1 including means for applying adhesive to a workpiece at each of 'said adhesive applying stations, said means comp-rising masking means configured to expose a predetermined portion of said workpiece, and mounting means for said masking means for movement from an inoperative position to an operative position substantially in contact with a workpiece on said workpiece supporting means, said mounting means comprising an arm mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis for movement of said masking means from a position substantially in contact with a workpiece to a position spaced thereabove, and further means mounting said arm and said first mentioned means for pivotal movement about a vertical axis from said position spaced above said workpiece to said inoperative position, and means preventing pivotal movement about said horizontal axis after said arm has begun to pivot about said vertical axis.

3. The machine claimed in claim 2 wherein said means preventing pivotal movement about said horizontal axis comprises a cam follower carried by said arm and a cam, said 0am having a substantially horizontal portion and a slot aligned to permit downward vertical movement of said cam when said arm is aligned with said adhesive applying station.

4. The machine claimed in claim 3 wherein said cam is arcuate in horizontal cross section.

5. The machine claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for moving said rack comprises a fluid cylinder operatively connected to said rack.

6. The machine claimed in claim 1 wherein arrival of each said workpiece supporting means at said flocking station is operative to energize said electrostatic means for applying flock to a workpiece.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,161,543 12/1964 Borders et a1 118621 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,070,924 12/1959 Germ-any.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

PETER FELDMAN, Assistant Examiner. 

